Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 139
One-touch gearshifting................. 140
Gear ranges ................................. 141
Gear selector lever position ......... 142
Program mode selector switch..... 143
Accelerator position ..................... 144
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 144
Good visibility .................................... 145
Windshield wipers ........................ 145
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 145
Rear view mirrors ......................... 146
Sun visors .................................... 148
Rear window defroster ................. 149
Climate control .................................. 150
Setting the temperature ............... 152
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 153
Defrosting .................................... 154
Air recirculation mode.................. 154
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 155
Air conditioning ............................ 156
Ventilated storage compartment . 156
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents...................... 157Automatic climate control* ................ 158
Setting the temperature................ 161
Adjusting air distribution............... 162
Adjusting air volume ..................... 162
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 163
Defrosting ..................................... 163
Air recirculation mode .................. 163
Charcoal filter ............................... 165
Air conditioning............................. 166
Residual heat and ventilation* ...... 167
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 168
Audio system ...................................... 169
Audio and telephone, operation .... 169
Operating safety ........................... 169
Operating and display elements.... 170
Button and soft key operation....... 172
Operation ...................................... 172
Radio operation ............................ 175
Satellite radio (SAT)* (USA only)... 178
Cassette operation ....................... 182
CD changer* operation ................. 185
Telephone* operation ................... 189
Power windows .................................. 196
Opening and closing the windows. 196
Synchronizing power windows ...... 198Sliding/pop-up roof*.......................... 199
Opening and closing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 199
Synchronizing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 201
Driving systems .................................. 202
Cruise control ............................... 202
Loading .............................................. 205
Roof rack* .................................... 205
Ski sack* ...................................... 205
Parcel net in cargo compartment . 208
Storage compartment under
cargo compartment floor .............. 209
Retractable luggage cover and
partition net .................................. 209
Split rear bench seat .................... 211
Loading instructions ..................... 213
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 214
Useful features ................................... 215
Interior storage spaces ................. 215
Ashtrays........................................ 219
Cigarette lighter ............................ 220
Electrical outlet............................. 221
Telephone* ................................... 221
Tele Aid* ....................................... 222
Garage door opener ...................... 230
ContentsTechnical data.................................. 335
Spare parts service ............................ 336
Warranty coverage ............................. 337
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 337
Identification labels............................ 338
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 339
C 240/C 320 (all models) ............ 339
Engine ................................................ 340
Rims and Tires ................................... 341
Same size tires ............................. 342
Minispare wheel ........................... 342
Electrical system................................ 343
Main Dimensions ............................... 344
Weights .............................................. 345Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 346
Capacities .................................... 346
Engine oils.................................... 348
Engine oil additives ...................... 348
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 348
Brake fluid .................................... 348
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 349
Fuel requirements ........................ 349
Gasoline additives ........................ 350
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 350
Coolants....................................... 352
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system ......................... 354
Consumer information ....................... 355
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 355
Technical terms............................... 357Index................................................. 363
152 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. You can operate
the climate control system in either the au-
tomatic or manual mode. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the modeAC
OFF
is selected
(
page 156).
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls2 and3
(page 151) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents in the footwell can be
very hot or very cold (depending on the set
temperature). This may cause burns or frost-
bite on unprotected skin in the immediate
area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient
distance between unprotected parts of the
body and the footwell air vents. If necessary,
change the air flow using the air distribution
controls to direct the air away from the foot-
well air vents (
page 153).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air
pollution) may require replacement of
the filter before its scheduled interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air
volume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
Do not obstruct air flow by placing
objects on the air flow-through exhaust
slots below the rear window.
155 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press buttonO (
page 151).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:
after five minutes if the outside
temperature is below
approximately 41°F (5°C)
after five minutes if the air conditioning
is turned off
after 30 minutes if the outside
temperature is above
approximately 41°F (5°C)At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26°C) the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air. A quantity of
outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
Deactivating the climate control
system
Deactivating
Set air volume control1 (
page 151)
to position0.
Reactivating
Set air volume control1 (
page 151)
to any speed.
The closing of the side windows and
sliding/pop-up roof* can be reversed by
again pressing and holding theO button.iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
If you have turned off the air condi-
tioning (
page 156) or the outside
temperature is below 41°F (5°C), the
air recirculation mode will not switch
on automatically.
iIf you keep buttonO pressed the
side windows and sliding/pop-up roof*
will return to their previous position.
156 Controls in detailClimate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button± (
page 151).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button± (
page 151).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The air conditioning uses the
refrigerant R134a. This refrigerant is free
of CFC’s which are harmful to the ozone
layer.
Ventilated storage compartment
The front center console storage compart-
ment has its own air vent that allows for
cooling ventilation when the automatic
climate control system is activated.
1Lever
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iYou should keep this air vent closed
when outside temperatures are low.
160 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*The automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the climate control system in ei-
ther the automatic or manual mode. The
system cools or heats the interior depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature
and the current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if theAC
OFF
mode is selected
(
page 166).
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate
control, the air that enters the passenger
compartment through the air vents in the
footwell can be very hot or very cold
(depending on the set temperature). This
may cause burns or frostbite on unprotected
skin in the immediate area of the air vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between
unprotected parts of the body and the foot-
well air vents. If necessary, change the air
flow using the air distribution controls to
direct the air away from the footwell air
vents (
page 162).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for
heating and cooling given on the following
pages. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
164 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*
Deactivating
Press buttonO (
page 159).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:
after five minutes if the outside
temperature is below
approximately 41°F (5°C)
after five minutes if the air conditioning
is turned off
after 30 minutes if the outside
temperature is above
approximately 41°F (5°C)
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26°C) the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air. A quantity of
outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
iIf you keep buttonO pressed, the
side windows and the sliding/pop-up
roof* will close.Warning!
G
Never operate the side windows and the
sliding/pop-up roof* if there is the
possibility of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
In the event that the closing procedure
causes potential danger, the closing of the
side windows can be immediately halted by
pressing or pulling the respective window
switch. The closing of the sliding/pop-up
roof* can be immediately halted by moving
the sliding/pop-up roof* switch in the
overhead control panel in any direction.
The closing of the side windows and
sliding/pop-up roof* can be reversed by
again pressing and holding theO button.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically:
at high outside temperatures
if the concentration of carbon mon-
oxide and nitrogen oxide in the out-
side air increases, for example in a
tunnel (charcoal filter activated)
Please note that the charcoal filter
must be activated (
page 165) for
the air recirculation mode to be
activated automatically.
If you have turned off the air
conditioning (
page 166) or the out-
side temperature is below 41°F (5°C),
the air recirculation mode will not
switch on automatically.
iIf you keep buttonO pressed, the
side windows and the sliding/pop-up
roof* will return to their previous
position.
166 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the
vehicle will then no longer be cooled or
dehumidified.
Press button° (
page 159).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condi-
tioning.
Press button° (
page 159).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The air conditioning uses the
refrigerant R134a. This refrigerant is free
of CFCs which are harmful to the ozone
layer.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.